Halo Circus
Halo Circus | |
---|---|
Origin | Los Angeles, California |
Genres | Rock, Alternative |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | Halo Circus Media |
Members | Allison Iraheta, Brian Stead, Matthew Hager, Veronica Bellino |
Past members | Valerie Franco, David Immerman |
Halo Circus is a bilingual alternative rock band. Based in Los Angeles, California, Halo Circus is composed of vocalist Allison Iraheta, guitarist Brian Stead, bassist Matthew Hager and drummer Veronica Bellino.[1]
History
Halo Circus was formed in 2012. Iraheta, a finalist on American Idol, had released her debut album, Just Like You, on Jive in 2009. While touring in support of the album, she met Hager, a songwriter, musician, and producer. After Iraheta recorded vocals on a song Hager had been working on, they began to write together, and later decided to form a band. They recruited drummer Valerie Franco and guitarist David Immerman, both of whom had performed previously with Iraheta, and founded Halo Circus.
In an interview with New-Transcendence.com, Iraheta comments on the origin of the band's intriguing name: ″We wanted a name that represented the lightness and darkness of the world we live in. The beauty and chaos that we all juggle. Halo Circus was perfect for us. "Halo" representing the sacredness of our lives and "circus" the chaos of the world we all live in.″[2]
Their first show took place in January 2013 at the Troubador in Los Angeles.[3] A month later, they appeared on Yahoo Music, performing for the first time with accordionist Gee Rabe. Their first EP was released on Manimal Vinyl Records in October 2013. It included the single "Gone,"recorded in both English and Spanish. Written before Halo Circus was formed, it was based on Iraheta's experience with Jive, who dropped her as a recording artist in 2011. "It's a very sad song," she said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "But out of that came more sessions and more songs and the realization that I had to admit how hurt I was." [3][4]
As Hager and Iraheta continued to collaborate as songwriters, the band played a series of high-profile shows. With Veronica Bellino on drums—Franco left the band in mid-2013—they performed at the Whiskey A Go Go's 50th Anniversary celebration, and at two Grammy events: the Los Angeles Grammy Showcase and the "Women Who Rock" Grammy Cruise, where they appeared with Emmylou Harris and Heart, among others. In July 2014, they released "Do You Believe in Shame" on the Duran Duran tribute album, Making Patterns Rhyme. A compilation, it also included contributions from Moby and Warpaint. In September, Halo Circus began a 4-week residency at the Hotel Café in Hollywood.[3]
In February 2015, with Brian Stead replacing David Immerman, the band decided to shelve an album they had intended to release as their debut. The album was re-recorded over a six-week period at Little White Lotus Studios in Compton, CA. It was produced by Hager and mixed by Craig Bauer. The first single from the album, "Desire (Lo Que Vale La Pena)" was released in February 2016 through BitTorrent. Iraheta said the song was about freedom: "Not the freedom we confuse for convenience, but the real freedom that is granted to every soul that enters a body on this planet. When one is oppressed, we are all oppressed. We are all born with the desire to love and the desire to defend it." The "Desire" video, directed by Nick Egan, was shot in South Central L.A., with Irraheta wearing a pageant-style sash marked "Immigrant."[5][6][7]
Halo Circus teamed with the crowdsourcing platform RoadNation in February 2016 to fund their first national tour. Their debut album, Bunny, was released on June 23, 2016.[8][9]
The band's "Follow the Rabbit US Summer Tour" of small clubs kicked off in Southern California on August 18, 2016.[10] For the first leg during August 2016, the roster was the musicians from the album, Iraheta, Hager, Stead and Bellino. In September 2016, drummer Matteo Eyia[11] replaced Bellino, who went on tour in Australia with guitarist Orianthi.
Band Members
- Allison Iraheta – lead vocals (2013–present)
- Matthew Hager – bass, keyboards (2013–present)
- Brian Stead – lead guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
- Veronica Bellino – drums, backing vocals (2013-2016)
- David Immerman – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009–2015)
- Valerie Franco – drums, backing vocals (2009–2013)[12]
- Liz Anne Hill – bass, backing vocals (2010)
- Gerry Mattei – keyboards, backing vocals (2010)
- Matteo Eyia – drums, backing vocals (2016)[13]
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Album details | Peak positions | Certifications (sales threshold) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US | US Digital | |||
2016 | Bunny
|
- | - |
References
- ↑ Parker, Lyndsey (July 19, 2013). "Allison Iraheta & Halo Circus Sign a Record Deal". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
- ↑ Sinister, Bearly. "Interview: Allison Iraheta of Halo Circus". new-transcendence.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- 1 2 3 Bronson, Fred (April 17, 2013). "'American Idol' Alum Allison Iraheta: 'I Was Done with Singing' and 'In a Sad Place'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ↑ ""American Idol" contestant Allison Iraheta finds her voice". NBC Latino.
- ↑ Parker, Lyndsey (March 3, 2016). "Video Premiere: Allison Iraheta's Halo Circus Make Powerful Statement in 'Desire (Lo Que Vale La Pena)'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ↑ Galo, Sarah (January 2, 2016). "Allison Iraheta On Halo Circus And Her Musical Evolution". The Establishment. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ↑ "Staff Picks: Halo Circus Share The "Desire" Premiere Bundle". bittorrent.com. BitTorrent. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ↑ Bronson, Fred (February 8, 2016). "'American Idol' Alum Allison Iraheta's Band Halo Circus Teams Up With RoadNation for Crowdsourced National Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ↑ Frometa, RJ (March 3, 2016). "Halo Circus, Featuring Season 8 American Idol alum Allison Iraheta, Premiere New Music Video For "Desire (Lo Que Vale La Pena)," Plus Exclusive Free Download; New Album, 'Bunny' Available May 27". Vents Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ↑ Circus, Halo. "Halo Circus Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ↑ Matteo, Eyia. "Matteo Eyia Instagram". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ↑ "Halo Circus Valerie Tweet". Twitter. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
- ↑ Matteo, Eyia. "Matteo Eyia Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 25 September 2016.